You’re no longer 22, and by now, your skin care routine is dialed in—retinol, vitamin C serum, seasonal moisturizers, maybe a mask or 10. But while your face gets the royal treatment, does the rest of your skin survive on occasional slaps of expired lotion? That’s a problem, considering the skin on your body experiences the same environmental stressors as your face. And as you get older, the best body lotions also need to take into account the changes your skin is going through.
“As skin ages, collagen and elastin production slow down, leading to loss of firmness and elasticity,” board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, tells SELF. “The skin becomes thinner, drier, and more prone to irritation. The natural barrier function weakens, making it harder for the skin to retain moisture.” Plus, she says, the environment and the natural aging process can cause age spots, wrinkles, and sagging.
Some areas of the body see more intensive aging than others, says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Skin cells that are exposed to both [genetic and environmental factors] tend to age the most,” he says. “For this reason, it’s important to pay more attention to areas of skin that are exposed to the environment regularly, like the face, neck, and hands.” Certain areas of the body are also more susceptible to signs of aging due to thinner skin or more frequent use, says Dr. Shirazi. “These areas include the neck, chest, hands, elbows, knees. The skin on the neck and chest is thinner and more delicate, making it more prone to wrinkles and sagging particularly from UV rays, while the knees and elbows often develop dryness and crepiness,” she says.
If you’ve been neglecting these areas, you’re not alone, but it’s never too late to slather on a little love. To help you determine what you should be looking for in a body lotion at this point in your life, we asked the experts for a breakdown of the most efficacious ingredients, as well as their top product picks for aging skin.
What ingredients should you look for when choosing a body lotion for aging skin?
According to the experts we spoke to, there are three categories of ingredients you should prioritize in your body lotions, depending on your main concerns.
Moisturizers
First and foremost, any body lotion for aging skin needs to be a good moisturizer, says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. This means it needs to contain three components: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. And Dr. King says it’s important to look for products that contain all three. Humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, help the skin retain its water content. Emollients, such as squalane, ceramides, and fatty acids, help the skin barrier function. And occlusives, such as lanolin, beeswax, and silicones, block water loss, says Dr. King.
Firming ingredients
If you’re looking to firm the skin, Dr. Shirazi recommends ingredients such as peptides, retinol, and vitamin C. These help stimulate collagen production and promote skin renewal. “Peptides are also excellent for boosting firmness and elasticity,” she says. “Additionally, products with hyaluronic acid can help plump the skin, making it appear firmer and more youthful.”
Exfoliators
According to Dr. Zeichner, exfoliating acids like glycolic or lactic acid can help strengthen the skin over time. “I commonly recommend 12% lactic acid lotions for the arms and the legs,” he says.
Our top picks
Best Overall: BeautyPie Youthbomb Repair 360
Best Budget: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion
Best Splurge: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream
Best for Sensitive Skin: Naturium Skin-Renewing Body Lotion
Best Firming: Skinmedica Firm and Tone
Best Serum: Fig 1 Retinol Renewal Body Serum
Best Retinol: Versed Advanced Retinol Body Butter
Best Retinol-Alternative Serum: Maelys B-Glossy Anti-Aging Smoothing Body Serum
Best for Neck: StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream
Best for Estrogen-Depleted Skin: Paula's Choice Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Body Treatment
In this article
Shop the best body lotions for aging skin
Best Overall: BeautyPie Youthbomb Repair 360
BeautyPie
BeautyPie
Pros
- Dermatologist-created
- Contains a range of ingredients to target multiple aging concerns
Cons
- Pricey, but reviewers say a little goes a long way
This powerhouse body lotion is absolutely packed with potent ingredients. It contains 2% granactive retinoid, which Dr. King is a gentle form of retinoid, and 5% niacinamide, which helps to improve skin tone and texture and can soothe any irritation caused by the retinoid.
On the moisturizing front: “The base contains humectants, like glycerin and polyglutamic acid, to hydrate the skin; emollients like triglycerides, sweet almond oil and meadowfoam seed oil to support the skin barrier; and shea butter and coconut oil to help lock in moisture,” says Dr. King. “It also contains soothing ingredients like allantoin and borage seed oil.” These workhorse ingredients make this lotion worth its not-insignificant price tag.
“Used this body cream four times and I’ve already noticed a difference to my skin appearance and texture,” one online reviewer wrote. “Amazing how quickly I have seen results.” Customers also report that it’s especially effective on sun-damaged skin. It’s thick but absorbs quickly and isn’t sticky. It smells great too.
Other notable ingredients
Glycolic acid to promote skin renewal and erase fine lines
Best Budget Pick: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion
Amazon
Amazon
Pros
- Super affordable
- Non-greasy texture
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Retinol concentration is undisclosed
The ingredient list for this lotion is top-notch, easily rivaling that of more expensive brands. “It combines retinol with skin-strengthening peptides to firm and support the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Plus, it delivers a blend of natural oils that act as emollients to soften rough cells and fill in cracks on the surface of the skin.” Niacinamide, which helps improve skin tone, is included too.
Still, Gold Bond isn’t exactly a sexy company, and I didn’t totally believe the hype—it has a 4.6 rating on Amazon with 5,000+ reviews—around this product until I tried it. After weeks of use, I noticed a not-insignificant difference in the appearance of those little lines at my cleavage. And IMO, it has just the right consistency: It’s rich and moisturizing, not greasy or sticky, and absorbs easily into my skin. I personally found this lotion to be gentle, but if you’re new to retinol, you might want to start slowly, as the brand doesn’t disclose its retinol concentration. Welcome to my medicine cabinet, Gold Bond!
Other notable ingredients
Moisturizing vitamin E, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter
Best for Sensitive Skin: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Contains a gentle form of retinol
- Affordable
- Fragrance-free
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- Goes fast, but the brand does have a jumbo size (with a pump!)
When your skin is reactive, retinol isn’t always your friend; however, this Dr. Shirazi–recommended body lotion makes it possible for sensitive types to reap the dynamo ingredient’s benefits. It’s formulated with encapsulated retinol, which means the retinol is released gradually over time to reduce irritation. “This retinol helps promote cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines, crepiness, and uneven skin,” says Dr. Shirazi. It also features skin-soothing allantoin and shea butter, which “deeply hydrates and softens the skin, leaving it smooth, firm, and radiant,” says Dr. Shirazi.
